WEBVTT

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 We are in Luke chapter 24, verses 33 to 53.

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 If you don't have a Bible, please raise your hand,

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 and we'd love to bring you a pew Bible you can use while you are here.

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 If you're using one of our blue pew Bibles, this is on page 885.

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 Luke chapter 24, verses 33 to 53.

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 Thanks, Nick.

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 Let me pray for the reading and preaching of God's Word.

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 Heavenly Father, we pray in the name of Jesus who has risen,

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 who has ascended, and who is now seated at your right hand.

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 That you speak to us from your Word.

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 That you assure us of the good news of Jesus Christ and the salvation that he won for us.

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 That you remind us that we have been sealed with your Holy Spirit,

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 whom your Son sent after his ascension.

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 And that your Spirit assures us that we are your adopted children.

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 That your Spirit empowers us for life and service.

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 And that we are in desperate need of you and your help.

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 So please remind us of all these things this morning.

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 Impress them upon us deeply,

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 that we might be changed and live in accordance with these truths.

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 In Jesus' name we pray.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Luke 24, verses 33 to 53.

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 And they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.

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 And they found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying,

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 The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.

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 Then they told what had happened on the road,

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 and how he was known to them in the breaking of the bread.

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 As they were talking about these things,

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 Jesus himself stood among them and said to them,

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 Peace to you.

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 But they were startled and frightened and thought they saw a spirit.

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 And he said to them,

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 Why are you troubled?

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 And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

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 See my hands and my feet,

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 that it is I myself.

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 Touch me and see.

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 For a spirit does not have flesh and bones,

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 as you see that I have.

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 And when he had said this,

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 he showed them his hands and his feet.

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 And while they still disbelieved for joy and were marveling,

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 he said to them,

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 Have you anything here to eat?

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 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,

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 and he took it and ate before them.

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 Then he said to them,

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 These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you,

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 that everything written about me in the law of Moses and the prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.

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 Then he opened their minds to understand the scriptures,

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 and said to them,

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 Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer,

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 and on the third day rise from the dead,

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 and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins

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 should be proclaimed in his name to all nations,

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 beginning from Jerusalem.

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 You are witnesses of these things.

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 And behold,

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 I am sending the promise of my Father upon you,

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 but stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.

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 And he led them out as far as Bethany,

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 and lifting up his hands,

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 he blessed them.

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 While he blessed them,

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 he parted from them,

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 and was carried up into heaven.

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 And they worshipped him,

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 and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

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 and were continually in the temple blessing God.

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 This is God's holy and authoritative word.

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 Whether it's the last words of a man on his deathbed,

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 or the parting words of a friend that is leaving to a faraway place,

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 parting words are weighty,

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 because they may be the last words you hear from that person in the flesh.

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 And those parting words often reveal what is most dear to that person that is leaving you with those words.

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 And so here, in Luke's conclusion of his gospel,

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 this is his parting word to us.

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 We see Jesus' parting words to his disciples.

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 And the main point of this passage is this,

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 that Jesus is the risen and ascended Lord,

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 who empowers us with the Spirit to proclaim repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

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 And we're going to examine that main point in three parts.

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 First, we'll look at the count of the resurrection,

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 verses 33 to 43.

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 And then the proclamation that he calls us to do in verses 44 to 49.

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 And finally, Jesus' benediction, his blessing to us.

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 So let's first look at the confirmation,

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 this final confirmation of Jesus' resurrection in verses 33 to 43.

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 In the preceding passage we talked about two weeks ago,

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 Jesus appeared to two disciples on their way to Emmaus,

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 presumably their home.

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 And though initially their eyes were kept from recognizing Jesus,

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 after Jesus opened to them the scriptures and broke bread and gave it to them,

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 their eyes were opened and they recognized him.

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 That's what we saw in the preceding passage.

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 But then immediately after that revelation,

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 Jesus vanished from their sight.

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 And it says here in verse 33 that they rose that same hour and returned to Jerusalem.

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 Remember that they just completed a seven-mile journey on foot from Jerusalem to Emmaus.

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 And they had just told Jesus in verse 29,

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 Stay with us, for it is toward evening,

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 and the day is now far spent.

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 So it's late into the day,

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 and they're weary from their journey,

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 but neither of those things can keep them from the excitement of having encountered

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 and recognized the risen Jesus.

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 And so they feel compelled to report that to the rest of the disciples,

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 and they start marching back to Emmaus that moment.

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 It says that same hour.

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 And when they arrive, it says in verses 33 to 35,

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 They found the eleven and those who were with them gathered together, saying,

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 The Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon.

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 To the surprise of these two disciples that were on the road to Emmaus,

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 the eleven apostles and the other disciples who are with them

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 are already discussing Jesus' resurrection when they arrive.

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 And they have found out that he had also appeared independently to Simon Peter.

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 And that appearance is not noted anywhere else in the Gospels.

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 It's mentioned only in 1 Corinthians 15.5.

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 And so this is kind of, it's here to show us that the news of Jesus' resurrection

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 is now starting to go viral.

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 Everybody's seeing it.

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 Everybody's hearing it.

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 One report interrupts another,

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 and the excitement is in the air.

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 It's palpable.

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 It's really happening.

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 The Lord has risen indeed.

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 And amazingly, it says in verses 36 to 37,

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 As they were talking about these things,

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 Jesus himself stood among them and said to them,

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 Peace to you.

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 But they were startled and frightened,

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 and thought they saw a spirit.

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 Once again, we see that Jesus' resurrection body is a transformed body.

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 And so he is able to vanish suddenly and appear suddenly

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 in the midst of his disciples.

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 And this sudden appearance startles the disciples,

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 and they think that they're seeing a ghost.

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 But Jesus says to them, Peace to you.

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 Peace.

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 That's a common Jewish greeting.

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 Shalom.

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 But in the Gospel of Luke,

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 it receives a special meaning, a significance,

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 because the word peace is repeatedly used throughout the Gospel

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 and is connected to the idea of the salvation that the Messiah brings,

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 that Christ brings.

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 So, for example, in Luke chapter 1, verses 76 to 79,

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 when Zechariah prophesies about the birth of his son, John the Baptist,

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 and what he would do to prepare the way for Jesus,

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 he says this,

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 And you, child, will be called the prophet of the Most High,

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 for you will go before the Lord to prepare his ways,

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 to give knowledge of salvation to his people

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 in the forgiveness of their sins,

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 because of the tender mercy of our God,

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 whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high

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 to give light to those who sit in darkness

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 and in the shadow of death,

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 to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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 And that's why, often after Jesus heals the sick,

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 he declares to them in the Gospel of Luke,

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 Your faith has saved you.

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 Go in peace.

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 Through the death and resurrection of Jesus,

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 he brings, he secures our redemption from slavery

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 to sin and death,

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 and he gives us peace with God.

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 And that peace means so much more than just the ceasefire

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 or the absence of conflict.

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 It's restoration to proper, right relationship with God,

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 to our proper place in the created order.

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 It means spiritual wholeness,

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 no more existential angst.

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 Knowing exactly who you are

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 and what we were created for,

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 knowing that we are in peace with God.

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 Do you have this peace?

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 Only Christ can offer this peace.

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 Because only Christ has triumphed over sin and death.

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 But at this point,

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 the disciples don't recognize him yet.

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 They're startled and frightened,

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 so Jesus says to them in verse 38,

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 Why are you troubled?

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 And why do doubts arise in your hearts?

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 At the beginning of the gospel,

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 Zechariah and Mary were both described as troubled

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 when the angel of the Lord appeared to them

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 to announce to them

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 the arrival of Jesus.

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 And now at the end of the gospel,

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 the disciples are also troubled.

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 And this is helpful to note

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 because maybe some of you

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 who are not yet followers of Christ feel this way.

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 You're troubled by what you're encountering.

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 Maybe you have doubts arising in your heart.

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 And that's normal.

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 Divine revelation,

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 when God appears,

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 it always interrupts the status quo.

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 When God shows up

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 and is present in our lives,

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 it disrupts our lives

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 and we are troubled

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 because we recognize

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 that if God is real

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 and He's present in our lives,

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 that we cannot live

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 as we have always lived.

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 Something must change.

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 You're being confronted

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 with the reality of God

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 in a way you haven't been before,

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 then it's normal to be troubled.

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 But if doubts arising in your heart,

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 I want to assure you

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 and I want to exhort you,

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 don't stop at being troubled.

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 Move on to faith.

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 Venture out to believe in Jesus,

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 to give your life to Him,

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 because then your faith

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 and your troubledness,

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 that will turn into joy

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 as we see with the disciples here

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 and as we saw earlier

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 in the beginning of the Gospel of Luke

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 with Mary and Zechariah.

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 Jesus says in verses 39 to 40,

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 See my hands and my feet,

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 that it is I myself.

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 Touch me and see,

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 for a spirit does not have flesh and bones

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 as you see that I have.

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 And when He has said this,

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 He showed them His hands and His feet.

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 Jesus is telling them,

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 I'm a bodily being like you.

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 I partake in the same flesh and bones

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 that you have.

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 These verses demonstrate beyond doubt

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 that Jesus,

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 His resurrection was a physical resurrection.

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 It's essential to believe

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 in a bodily resurrection of Christ,

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 because if Jesus was not raised bodily,

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 then death will not have been defeated.

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 And the effect of sin

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 would not have been reversed.

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 In the genealogies that we just finished,

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 going through the book of Genesis

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 in our family worship,

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 and there's a refrain,

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 a haunting refrain

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 throughout the entire book.

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 It says,

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 So and so lived for this many years,

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 and he died.

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 And he died.

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 And he died.

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 Why?

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 Because in Genesis chapter 2,

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 verses 16 to 17,

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 God had commanded the man

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 not to eat of the tree

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 of the knowledge of good and evil,

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 warning him that if he does,

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 he shall surely die.

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 So you see the implications of that,

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 the outworking of that sin,

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 and that has had its effect

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 in all of humanity.

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 Almost two human beings

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 die every second.

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 150,000 people die

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 every single day.

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 And the surviving ones,

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 the loved ones,

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 have to live with the pain

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 of separation.

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 The grief.

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 That's the result of original sin.

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 So unless

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 Christ is raised from the dead

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 bodily,

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 death is not undone.

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 And sin,

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 which is the sting of death,

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 is not removed.

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 It's because Christ was raised

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 bodily that we have

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 forgiveness of sins

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 and assurance

00:14:06.299 --> 00:14:08.259
 of our future bodily resurrection

00:14:08.259 --> 00:14:09.440
 and salvation

00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.519
 in Christ

00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.840
 when he returns.

00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.740
 So after verifying

00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.799
 the resurrection of Jesus

00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.940
 with their own eyes

00:14:16.940 --> 00:14:17.759
 and hands,

00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.220
 it says in verse 41

00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:20.039
 that the disciples

00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:22.299
 still disbelieved for joy

00:14:22.299 --> 00:14:23.960
 and were marveling.

00:14:24.919 --> 00:14:26.139
 Their doubt now turns

00:14:26.139 --> 00:14:27.060
 into disbelief.

00:14:27.500 --> 00:14:28.519
 And this disbelief

00:14:28.519 --> 00:14:29.820
 is not unbelief.

00:14:30.200 --> 00:14:31.500
 It refers to amazement.

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.279
 That's why it says

00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.559
 that they disbelief

00:14:33.559 --> 00:14:34.279
 for joy

00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.820
 and were marveling.

00:14:36.000 --> 00:14:37.100
 They were so overwhelmed

00:14:37.100 --> 00:14:38.039
 by the realization

00:14:38.039 --> 00:14:39.559
 that Jesus really is alive

00:14:39.559 --> 00:14:40.419
 that they're speechless.

00:14:41.679 --> 00:14:42.620
 And to banish

00:14:42.620 --> 00:14:43.940
 any remaining doubts

00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:44.919
 that might be there,

00:14:45.299 --> 00:14:46.460
 Jesus asks them,

00:14:47.200 --> 00:14:48.139
 have you anything here

00:14:48.139 --> 00:14:48.639
 to eat?

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.179
 And it says in verses

00:14:51.179 --> 00:14:52.220
 42 to 43,

00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:53.120
 they gave him a piece

00:14:53.120 --> 00:14:53.840
 of boiled fish

00:14:53.840 --> 00:14:54.460
 and he took it

00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:55.419
 and ate before them.

00:14:55.919 --> 00:14:56.860
 This is not because

00:14:56.860 --> 00:14:57.480
 he's hungry.

00:14:57.480 --> 00:14:59.519
 The Jews believed

00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:00.820
 that ghosts did not eat.

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.820
 So this is kind of

00:15:02.820 --> 00:15:04.539
 the final decisive demonstration

00:15:04.539 --> 00:15:06.139
 that he is not a phantom.

00:15:07.620 --> 00:15:09.300
 He is a resurrected being.

00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.279
 And having borne witness

00:15:12.279 --> 00:15:13.480
 to Jesus' resurrection,

00:15:13.779 --> 00:15:15.340
 Luke turns to the importance

00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:16.620
 of the proclamation

00:15:16.620 --> 00:15:17.480
 of this message

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.940
 in verses 44 to 49.

00:15:19.539 --> 00:15:20.700
 He says in 44,

00:15:20.940 --> 00:15:22.279
 These are my words

00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:23.360
 that I spoke to you

00:15:23.360 --> 00:15:24.759
 while I was still with you,

00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:26.259
 that everything written

00:15:26.259 --> 00:15:27.740
 about me and the law of Moses

00:15:27.740 --> 00:15:28.539
 and the prophets

00:15:28.539 --> 00:15:29.279
 and the Psalms

00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:31.019
 must be fulfilled.

00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:32.899
 Jesus is referring

00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:33.639
 to the fact that

00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.539
 on several occasions

00:15:34.539 --> 00:15:35.439
 throughout the gospel,

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.659
 he had already

00:15:36.659 --> 00:15:38.159
 explicitly predicted

00:15:38.159 --> 00:15:38.899
 his suffering,

00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:40.220
 death, and resurrection.

00:15:41.100 --> 00:15:41.899
 And he believes

00:15:41.899 --> 00:15:42.960
 that all of that happened

00:15:42.960 --> 00:15:43.980
 in fulfillment

00:15:43.980 --> 00:15:45.559
 of the scriptures.

00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:47.299
 The law of Moses

00:15:47.299 --> 00:15:48.179
 and the prophets

00:15:48.179 --> 00:15:49.179
 and the Psalms.

00:15:49.460 --> 00:15:50.500
 That's a reference

00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.399
 to the entire Old Testament.

00:15:52.819 --> 00:15:54.120
 The entire Jewish scriptures.

00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:55.879
 That threefold division

00:15:55.879 --> 00:15:56.700
 of the law,

00:15:56.820 --> 00:15:57.320
 the prophets,

00:15:57.480 --> 00:15:58.179
 and the writing

00:15:58.179 --> 00:15:59.200
 or the Psalms

00:15:59.200 --> 00:16:00.919
 that it's still used

00:16:00.919 --> 00:16:02.039
 by Jews to this day.

00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.939
 And this is very similar

00:16:03.939 --> 00:16:04.860
 to what Jesus said

00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:06.019
 earlier in verse 27.

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:08.080
 And beginning with Moses

00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:09.700
 and all the prophets,

00:16:10.220 --> 00:16:13.200
 Jesus interpreted to them

00:16:13.200 --> 00:16:14.720
 in all the scriptures

00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:17.179
 the things concerning himself.

00:16:19.419 --> 00:16:20.720
 Jesus believed

00:16:20.720 --> 00:16:22.259
 that all the scriptures,

00:16:22.259 --> 00:16:25.539
 not just the prophecies,

00:16:26.019 --> 00:16:27.179
 but also the laws,

00:16:27.279 --> 00:16:28.399
 also the Psalms,

00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:30.759
 they testified about him.

00:16:33.480 --> 00:16:33.960
 Similarly,

00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:34.659
 when the Jews

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:36.059
 were seeking to kill Jesus

00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.460
 because he was

00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.799
 calling God his Father

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.519
 and making himself

00:16:39.519 --> 00:16:40.340
 equal to God,

00:16:40.840 --> 00:16:42.159
 in John 5,

00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.480
 Jesus said to them,

00:16:43.580 --> 00:16:45.019
 you search the scriptures

00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.419
 because you think

00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.220
 that in them

00:16:47.220 --> 00:16:48.379
 you have eternal life

00:16:48.379 --> 00:16:49.620
 and it is they

00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:50.740
 that bear witness

00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.720
 about me.

00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.340
 Do not think

00:16:53.340 --> 00:16:54.279
 that I will accuse you

00:16:54.279 --> 00:16:54.860
 to the Father.

00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.720
 There is one

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.659
 who accuses you,

00:16:56.779 --> 00:16:57.120
 Moses,

00:16:57.759 --> 00:16:58.419
 on whom you have

00:16:58.419 --> 00:16:59.060
 set your hope.

00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.480
 For if you believed

00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:00.840
 Moses,

00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:02.159
 you would believe me.

00:17:02.480 --> 00:17:03.840
 For he wrote of me.

00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:05.220
 But if you do not

00:17:05.220 --> 00:17:06.440
 believe his writings,

00:17:06.759 --> 00:17:07.720
 how will you believe

00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.759
 my words?

00:17:10.960 --> 00:17:12.400
 Just as the Old Testament

00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:14.079
 all point forward

00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:15.000
 to the personal work

00:17:15.000 --> 00:17:15.759
 of Jesus Christ,

00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:17.200
 all of the New Testament

00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.480
 point backward

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:20.319
 to the personal work

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:21.100
 of Jesus Christ.

00:17:21.539 --> 00:17:22.519
 And that means

00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:24.080
 whenever you read

00:17:24.080 --> 00:17:24.680
 the scriptures,

00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.900
 wherever you might be,

00:17:27.039 --> 00:17:28.299
 whatever point you might be

00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:29.080
 in the whole book,

00:17:31.380 --> 00:17:32.500
 you need to understand,

00:17:32.600 --> 00:17:32.740
 you know,

00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.640
 to understand it rightly,

00:17:33.700 --> 00:17:34.319
 you need to see

00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:36.240
 how Christ fulfills it

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.400
 and how it points

00:17:37.400 --> 00:17:37.920
 to Christ.

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.640
 You have to understand

00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:43.299
 that all of the institutions

00:17:43.299 --> 00:17:44.240
 of scripture,

00:17:45.039 --> 00:17:46.120
 the tabernacle,

00:17:46.340 --> 00:17:46.960
 the temple,

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.700
 the nation of Israel,

00:17:48.920 --> 00:17:49.759
 the covenants,

00:17:50.319 --> 00:17:51.400
 all the offices

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.559
 of scripture,

00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.319
 priesthood,

00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.059
 the kings,

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:55.279
 and the prophets,

00:17:55.559 --> 00:17:56.840
 all the main characters

00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:57.340
 of scripture,

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:58.380
 Abraham, Isaac,

00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.299
 Jacob, Joseph,

00:17:59.500 --> 00:18:00.400
 Moses, David,

00:18:00.880 --> 00:18:01.400
 Jeremiah,

00:18:01.660 --> 00:18:02.900
 all the rituals

00:18:02.900 --> 00:18:03.580
 of scripture,

00:18:03.779 --> 00:18:04.700
 the sacrifices,

00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.920
 the day of atonement,

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.059
 the Passover,

00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.960
 and all the commandments

00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.660
 of scripture,

00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:11.220
 all of these things

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:13.200
 foreshadow and point

00:18:13.200 --> 00:18:14.360
 to Jesus.

00:18:14.359 --> 00:18:17.599
 Jesus is what scripture

00:18:17.599 --> 00:18:18.619
 is all about.

00:18:22.879 --> 00:18:23.659
 There's a story

00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:25.539
 that I'd like to tell.

00:18:25.719 --> 00:18:27.639
 There's a 19th century

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:28.279
 British pastor,

00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:29.000
 Charles Spurgeon,

00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:30.079
 once told this story.

00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.559
 He told the story

00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.459
 about another minister,

00:18:32.740 --> 00:18:33.579
 a Welsh minister,

00:18:34.139 --> 00:18:34.879
 who offered

00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:36.199
 constructive criticism

00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:38.000
 to a younger preacher.

00:18:40.279 --> 00:18:41.100
 He said,

00:18:41.360 --> 00:18:42.779
 very honestly,

00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.000
 it was a very poor sermon.

00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.220
 He told the young man,

00:18:48.340 --> 00:18:48.559
 well,

00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:49.279
 will you tell me

00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.400
 why you think

00:18:50.400 --> 00:18:51.200
 it is a poor sermon?

00:18:51.640 --> 00:18:52.440
 Came the response.

00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:53.820
 Because,

00:18:54.340 --> 00:18:55.360
 said the Welsh minister,

00:18:56.039 --> 00:18:57.779
 there was no Christ in it.

00:18:59.420 --> 00:18:59.860
 Well,

00:19:00.180 --> 00:19:01.740
 said the young man,

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.600
 Christ was not in the text.

00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.480
 We are not to be

00:19:05.480 --> 00:19:06.740
 preaching Christ always.

00:19:06.940 --> 00:19:07.880
 We must preach

00:19:07.880 --> 00:19:09.120
 what is in the text.

00:19:10.220 --> 00:19:11.779
 The exchange continued,

00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.019
 don't you know,

00:19:13.120 --> 00:19:13.580
 young man,

00:19:14.200 --> 00:19:15.259
 that from every town

00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.100
 and every village

00:19:16.100 --> 00:19:17.360
 and every little hamlet

00:19:17.360 --> 00:19:17.960
 in England,

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:19.440
 wherever it may be,

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.200
 there is a road

00:19:20.200 --> 00:19:20.779
 to London?

00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.139
 Yes,

00:19:22.319 --> 00:19:23.039
 said the young man.

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:23.740
 Ah,

00:19:24.039 --> 00:19:24.920
 said the old divine.

00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:25.920
 And so,

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:27.180
 from every text

00:19:27.180 --> 00:19:27.740
 in scripture,

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.619
 there is a road

00:19:28.619 --> 00:19:29.619
 to the metropolis

00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.759
 of the scriptures

00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:31.700
 that is Christ.

00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.579
 And my dear brother,

00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.539
 your business

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.539
 is when you get

00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.119
 to a text

00:19:36.119 --> 00:19:36.660
 to say,

00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.299
 now,

00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.220
 what is the road

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.859
 to Christ?

00:19:39.559 --> 00:19:40.819
 And then preach a sermon

00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.319
 running along the road

00:19:42.319 --> 00:19:43.799
 towards the great metropolis,

00:19:44.180 --> 00:19:44.619
 Christ.

00:19:45.299 --> 00:19:45.819
 And,

00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.639
 said he,

00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.980
 I have never yet found

00:19:48.980 --> 00:19:49.460
 a text

00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.460
 that had not got

00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:51.380
 a road to Christ

00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.819
 in it.

00:19:52.200 --> 00:19:53.220
 And if I ever

00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:54.120
 define one

00:19:54.120 --> 00:19:55.299
 that is not a road

00:19:55.299 --> 00:19:56.079
 to Christ in it,

00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:57.160
 I will make one.

00:19:57.319 --> 00:19:58.620
 I will go over a hedge

00:19:58.620 --> 00:19:59.539
 and ditch,

00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.740
 but I would get

00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:01.700
 at my master.

00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.440
 For the sermon

00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.900
 cannot do any good

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:07.180
 unless there is

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:07.980
 a saver

00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:09.600
 of Christ in it.

00:20:09.599 --> 00:20:21.179
 that's why Paul says

00:20:21.179 --> 00:20:21.899
 in 1 Corinthians

00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:22.579
 chapter 2,

00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.039
 verse 2,

00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:24.139
 I decided to know

00:20:24.139 --> 00:20:26.379
 nothing among you

00:20:26.379 --> 00:20:27.859
 except Jesus Christ

00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:29.339
 and Him crucified.

00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:32.779
 Jesus is the subject

00:20:32.779 --> 00:20:33.980
 of the scriptures.

00:20:34.799 --> 00:20:36.179
 He is the fulfillment

00:20:36.179 --> 00:20:37.480
 of the scriptures.

00:20:37.480 --> 00:20:38.299
 So when you read

00:20:38.299 --> 00:20:38.779
 the scriptures,

00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.620
 don't read it like

00:20:39.620 --> 00:20:40.220
 you're just reading

00:20:40.220 --> 00:20:40.900
 another book.

00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.779
 You're encountering

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.819
 the person of Jesus.

00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.420
 You're hearing

00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.400
 the very words

00:20:47.400 --> 00:20:47.940
 of Jesus.

00:20:48.799 --> 00:20:49.599
 That's why

00:20:49.599 --> 00:20:50.279
 scripture reading

00:20:50.279 --> 00:20:51.180
 is not a chore,

00:20:51.519 --> 00:20:52.400
 but a delight.

00:20:58.880 --> 00:21:00.140
 And then it continues

00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.980
 in verse 45,

00:21:01.099 --> 00:21:01.839
 He opened

00:21:01.839 --> 00:21:03.059
 their minds

00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:04.240
 to understand

00:21:04.240 --> 00:21:05.139
 the scriptures.

00:21:06.599 --> 00:21:07.519
 This follows

00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:08.079
 the pattern

00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:08.899
 that we saw earlier

00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:09.779
 in this chapter

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.299
 on the road

00:21:10.299 --> 00:21:11.079
 to Emmaus.

00:21:12.059 --> 00:21:13.159
 There the two disciples

00:21:13.159 --> 00:21:14.119
 didn't recognize

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:15.039
 Jesus at first,

00:21:15.919 --> 00:21:17.000
 so He opened

00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.480
 the scriptures

00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.119
 to them

00:21:18.119 --> 00:21:19.279
 to explain the things

00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.000
 about Himself.

00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.019
 And then later

00:21:21.019 --> 00:21:21.819
 He said that their eyes

00:21:21.819 --> 00:21:22.240
 were opened.

00:21:22.379 --> 00:21:23.159
 So here the two

00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:24.419
 disciples don't recognize

00:21:24.419 --> 00:21:25.220
 Jesus at first,

00:21:25.460 --> 00:21:26.179
 but then Jesus

00:21:26.179 --> 00:21:27.519
 opens their minds

00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.500
 to understand

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:29.039
 the scriptures.

00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:31.299
 In verse 31,

00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:31.980
 it was God

00:21:31.980 --> 00:21:33.039
 who opened their eyes

00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.980
 to recognize Jesus.

00:21:34.180 --> 00:21:35.399
 Here it's the Son of God

00:21:35.399 --> 00:21:36.720
 who opens their minds

00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.579
 to understand

00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:38.559
 the scriptures.

00:21:39.319 --> 00:21:39.899
 And the verb

00:21:39.899 --> 00:21:40.700
 to open

00:21:40.700 --> 00:21:41.879
 occurs six times

00:21:41.879 --> 00:21:42.960
 in Luke's writings,

00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:44.359
 in the Gospel of Luke,

00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.220
 in the book of Acts,

00:21:45.379 --> 00:21:46.759
 and in all of those places

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.539
 it refers to

00:21:47.539 --> 00:21:48.399
 when God

00:21:48.399 --> 00:21:49.440
 reveals Himself

00:21:49.440 --> 00:21:50.779
 to His people.

00:21:52.319 --> 00:21:53.259
 It teaches us

00:21:53.259 --> 00:21:54.539
 that only God

00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.759
 can reveal Himself

00:21:55.759 --> 00:21:57.079
 through the scriptures

00:21:57.079 --> 00:21:58.319
 and that apart

00:21:58.319 --> 00:22:00.220
 from His self-revelation,

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.519
 we can't rightly

00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.339
 grasp Him,

00:22:02.920 --> 00:22:04.240
 understand His truth.

00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.980
 And here is

00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.259
 the most important thing

00:22:09.259 --> 00:22:09.960
 to understand

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.519
 from all of scriptures,

00:22:11.860 --> 00:22:12.960
 the heart of it all,

00:22:13.039 --> 00:22:14.440
 verses 46 to 47,

00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.860
 Thus it is written

00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:17.100
 that the Christ

00:22:17.100 --> 00:22:18.100
 should suffer

00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:19.779
 and on the third day

00:22:19.779 --> 00:22:21.039
 rise from the dead

00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:22.279
 and that repentance

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.160
 for the forgiveness

00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.819
 of sins

00:22:23.819 --> 00:22:24.920
 should be proclaimed

00:22:24.920 --> 00:22:26.059
 in His name

00:22:26.059 --> 00:22:27.240
 to all nations

00:22:27.240 --> 00:22:29.259
 beginning from Jerusalem.

00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:31.480
 The main outline

00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.700
 of God's salvation plan

00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.200
 can be seen

00:22:33.200 --> 00:22:34.319
 in the three main verbs

00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:35.339
 used in these verses.

00:22:35.880 --> 00:22:36.279
 First,

00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:36.740
 that the Christ

00:22:36.740 --> 00:22:37.460
 should suffer

00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:39.240
 and on the third day

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.100
 rise

00:22:40.100 --> 00:22:41.980
 and that in response

00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.559
 to all this

00:22:42.559 --> 00:22:43.640
 we are to proclaim

00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:45.180
 this good news.

00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.640
 First,

00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:48.519
 it was necessary

00:22:48.519 --> 00:22:49.220
 for Jesus

00:22:49.220 --> 00:22:49.940
 to suffer.

00:22:50.640 --> 00:22:51.620
 Hebrews chapter 2

00:22:51.620 --> 00:22:52.140
 verse 9

00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.940
 says that Jesus

00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:53.980
 had to endure

00:22:53.980 --> 00:22:54.860
 the suffering

00:22:54.860 --> 00:22:55.480
 of death

00:22:55.480 --> 00:22:57.319
 so that by the grace

00:22:57.319 --> 00:22:57.860
 of God

00:22:57.860 --> 00:22:59.900
 He might taste death

00:22:59.900 --> 00:23:00.660
 for everyone.

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:03.539
 In dying on the cross,

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.299
 Jesus bore the penalty

00:23:05.299 --> 00:23:05.960
 of sin

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.819
 on behalf

00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:08.259
 of all those

00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:09.180
 who put their trust

00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.539
 in Him.

00:23:10.500 --> 00:23:11.980
 There is no

00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.400
 alternative form

00:23:13.400 --> 00:23:14.380
 of atonement.

00:23:16.420 --> 00:23:17.819
 There is no other way

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.539
 of salvation.

00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:21.379
 No amount of

00:23:21.379 --> 00:23:22.879
 self-flagellation

00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.879
 or penance

00:23:23.879 --> 00:23:25.200
 can atone

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.039
 for our sins.

00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:29.319
 No amount

00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:30.240
 of good works,

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:32.220
 community service,

00:23:32.599 --> 00:23:33.859
 or charitable giving

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:35.180
 can atone

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.119
 for our sins

00:23:36.119 --> 00:23:38.139
 because as Romans 6

00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.859
 23 says,

00:23:38.940 --> 00:23:40.039
 the wages of sin

00:23:40.039 --> 00:23:40.859
 is death

00:23:40.859 --> 00:23:42.720
 that is the only

00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.599
 penalty

00:23:43.599 --> 00:23:45.859
 that meets

00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.420
 the crime,

00:23:46.619 --> 00:23:47.099
 the sin

00:23:47.099 --> 00:23:48.419
 against an eternal

00:23:48.419 --> 00:23:49.379
 infinitely worthy

00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.799
 being.

00:23:50.939 --> 00:23:51.819
 And as sinners

00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:52.959
 on death row,

00:23:53.079 --> 00:23:54.500
 our only hope

00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:55.659
 for salvation

00:23:55.659 --> 00:23:58.059
 is the substitutionary

00:23:58.059 --> 00:23:58.779
 death of Jesus

00:23:58.779 --> 00:23:59.439
 on the cross.

00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:03.799
 That was the first thing.

00:24:03.939 --> 00:24:04.259
 Second,

00:24:04.379 --> 00:24:05.119
 it was necessary

00:24:05.119 --> 00:24:06.419
 for Jesus to rise.

00:24:07.539 --> 00:24:08.619
 As I mentioned earlier,

00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.579
 unless Jesus

00:24:09.579 --> 00:24:10.480
 is raised

00:24:10.480 --> 00:24:11.439
 from the dead,

00:24:11.919 --> 00:24:13.279
 death is not undone

00:24:13.279 --> 00:24:13.959
 and sin

00:24:13.959 --> 00:24:15.279
 is not dealt with.

00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:17.460
 And so it's

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.240
 Jesus' death

00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.779
 and resurrection

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.420
 together

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:20.680
 that make possible

00:24:20.680 --> 00:24:21.839
 our repentance

00:24:21.839 --> 00:24:22.899
 for the forgiveness

00:24:22.899 --> 00:24:24.039
 of sins.

00:24:25.079 --> 00:24:26.379
 The Greek word

00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.220
 that's translated

00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:28.019
 as repentance

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:29.059
 literally means

00:24:29.059 --> 00:24:30.480
 change of mind.

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:33.059
 But it also

00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:33.720
 implies

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.379
 the change

00:24:34.379 --> 00:24:35.180
 of life

00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.720
 that every

00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.680
 true change

00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:38.279
 of mind

00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:39.019
 brings about.

00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.359
 That's why

00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.319
 in Luke chapter 3

00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.879
 verse 8,

00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.619
 John the Baptist

00:24:43.619 --> 00:24:44.740
 exhorts the Jews

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:45.220
 this way,

00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.660
 saying,

00:24:46.039 --> 00:24:46.880
 bear fruits

00:24:46.880 --> 00:24:47.859
 in keeping

00:24:47.859 --> 00:24:49.279
 with repentance.

00:24:50.279 --> 00:24:50.680
 And that's why

00:24:50.680 --> 00:24:51.500
 in Hebrews 6

00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.000
 verse 1

00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.339
 says,

00:24:52.500 --> 00:24:53.039
 repentance

00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:54.660
 from dead works

00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:56.019
 and faith

00:24:56.019 --> 00:24:56.839
 toward God.

00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.299
 To repent

00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.640
 is to turn away

00:24:59.640 --> 00:25:01.200
 from your own ways,

00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:02.099
 your own autonomy,

00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.200
 your own sovereignty,

00:25:03.700 --> 00:25:04.640
 your own rebellion

00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.400
 against God,

00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.400
 your own sins,

00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.279
 and to turn

00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:07.940
 toward God

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.420
 in faith

00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:08.759
 and say,

00:25:08.839 --> 00:25:10.420
 now He is my King

00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.240
 and I will live

00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:11.720
 for Him.

00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:13.000
 That's repentance

00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:14.279
 and faith.

00:25:15.640 --> 00:25:16.319
 You can think

00:25:16.319 --> 00:25:16.920
 about it this way,

00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.799
 imagine that someone

00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.819
 on the road

00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:20.140
 asks you for directions

00:25:20.140 --> 00:25:22.220
 and you tell them,

00:25:22.339 --> 00:25:22.720
 well actually

00:25:22.720 --> 00:25:23.160
 you got to go

00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.660
 this way.

00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.039
 And then they go,

00:25:26.079 --> 00:25:26.900
 oh thank you so much,

00:25:26.960 --> 00:25:27.339
 I was actually

00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.079
 headed the wrong way,

00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:28.720
 if it weren't for you

00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.400
 I would have never

00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.359
 gotten to my destination,

00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:31.160
 thank you so much.

00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:31.539
 And then,

00:25:31.779 --> 00:25:32.440
 right after you start

00:25:32.440 --> 00:25:32.740
 leaving,

00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.359
 they turn around

00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:33.880
 and keep going

00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.500
 the wrong way.

00:25:34.500 --> 00:25:37.720
 I mean,

00:25:37.940 --> 00:25:39.980
 at that point

00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.680
 it would be fair

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.420
 to ask yourself,

00:25:42.359 --> 00:25:43.259
 was this person

00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.039
 just being nice to me

00:25:44.039 --> 00:25:44.759
 and didn't believe me

00:25:44.759 --> 00:25:45.099
 at all?

00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.440
 Or did he not

00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:48.079
 understand

00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.900
 when I was pointing

00:25:48.900 --> 00:25:49.319
 and saying

00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.039
 you have to go that way?

00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:50.759
 Right?

00:25:53.960 --> 00:25:55.140
 Because if that person

00:25:55.140 --> 00:25:56.339
 really had a change

00:25:56.339 --> 00:25:56.740
 in mind,

00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.920
 he would have had

00:25:57.920 --> 00:25:59.059
 a change in direction

00:25:59.059 --> 00:26:00.000
 in the way he was going.

00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:04.400
 So repentance

00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.579
 is a change of mind

00:26:05.579 --> 00:26:06.819
 but it's a change of mind

00:26:06.819 --> 00:26:07.640
 that is genuine

00:26:07.640 --> 00:26:09.339
 that leads to a change,

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.619
 a reorientation

00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.380
 of your life.

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.500
 And if your life

00:26:13.500 --> 00:26:14.980
 has not been reoriented

00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:16.539
 around Christ

00:26:16.539 --> 00:26:17.700
 and his purposes

00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.220
 and priorities

00:26:18.220 --> 00:26:18.819
 for your life,

00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:19.700
 then you have not

00:26:19.700 --> 00:26:20.640
 truly repented

00:26:20.640 --> 00:26:21.279
 and believed.

00:26:23.619 --> 00:26:24.480
 There are many

00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:25.259
 so-called Christians

00:26:25.259 --> 00:26:25.880
 who say

00:26:25.880 --> 00:26:26.839
 they are Christians

00:26:26.839 --> 00:26:27.700
 but who have not

00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.880
 truly repented

00:26:28.880 --> 00:26:29.460
 that bring

00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.340
 disrepute

00:26:30.340 --> 00:26:31.340
 to the name

00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:31.940
 of Christ.

00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:39.860
 And the third thing

00:26:39.860 --> 00:26:40.720
 that's mentioned here

00:26:40.720 --> 00:26:42.340
 is that this good news

00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.259
 of Jesus' death

00:26:43.259 --> 00:26:43.860
 and resurrection,

00:26:44.779 --> 00:26:45.319
 the repentance

00:26:45.319 --> 00:26:46.019
 for the forgiveness

00:26:46.019 --> 00:26:46.640
 of sins

00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:48.240
 should be

00:26:48.240 --> 00:26:49.200
 proclaimed.

00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.759
 The gospel

00:26:51.759 --> 00:26:53.259
 is good news.

00:26:54.840 --> 00:26:55.700
 It is not

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.740
 a good feeling

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:58.039
 to be experienced

00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.120
 or a good work

00:26:59.119 --> 00:27:00.719
 that we have to do.

00:27:01.399 --> 00:27:02.839
 It's a good news

00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.719
 that needs

00:27:03.719 --> 00:27:04.559
 to be proclaimed.

00:27:07.779 --> 00:27:08.299
 Yes,

00:27:08.599 --> 00:27:09.939
 the people of this world

00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:12.259
 need clean water,

00:27:12.479 --> 00:27:13.439
 they need healing,

00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:14.439
 they need medicine,

00:27:14.599 --> 00:27:15.000
 vaccines,

00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.219
 they need education

00:27:16.219 --> 00:27:17.379
 and jobs.

00:27:17.819 --> 00:27:18.919
 These are all good,

00:27:19.239 --> 00:27:19.899
 commendable,

00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:20.599
 good work

00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.699
 that Jesus himself

00:27:21.699 --> 00:27:22.719
 did much of.

00:27:22.720 --> 00:27:25.500
 but Jesus

00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.299
 never

00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:27.640
 did good works

00:27:27.640 --> 00:27:28.600
 at the expense

00:27:28.600 --> 00:27:29.640
 of proclaiming

00:27:29.640 --> 00:27:30.160
 the good news

00:27:30.160 --> 00:27:30.519
 of Jesus,

00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:31.539
 good news of salvation.

00:27:32.600 --> 00:27:33.539
 Jesus never

00:27:33.539 --> 00:27:34.539
 in scriptures

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:36.259
 does good works

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:37.700
 without doing

00:27:37.700 --> 00:27:38.480
 the work

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.440
 of proclaiming

00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.500
 the good news.

00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.600
 Never.

00:27:41.599 --> 00:27:46.379
 so what

00:27:46.379 --> 00:27:46.839
 if they have

00:27:46.839 --> 00:27:47.559
 PhDs

00:27:47.559 --> 00:27:48.119
 and health

00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:48.879
 and wealth

00:27:48.879 --> 00:27:49.659
 and long life

00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:51.139
 if they perish

00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:51.839
 forever

00:27:51.839 --> 00:27:53.419
 because their sins

00:27:53.419 --> 00:27:54.059
 are not forgiven.

00:27:58.879 --> 00:27:59.699
 It's in the

00:27:59.699 --> 00:28:00.319
 proclamation

00:28:00.319 --> 00:28:01.399
 of the gospel

00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.879
 that the world's

00:28:02.879 --> 00:28:03.899
 greatest need

00:28:03.899 --> 00:28:05.399
 and our unique

00:28:05.399 --> 00:28:05.939
 ability

00:28:05.939 --> 00:28:06.919
 as God's people

00:28:06.919 --> 00:28:07.379
 meet.

00:28:07.380 --> 00:28:11.580
 Theologian

00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:12.300
 Michael Whitmer

00:28:12.300 --> 00:28:13.080
 puts it this way

00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.840
 in one of his books.

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:16.040
 Imagine a doctor

00:28:16.040 --> 00:28:16.720
 who enters

00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.720
 a hospital room

00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:18.820
 with the cure

00:28:18.820 --> 00:28:20.200
 for his dying patient.

00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.540
 But rather than

00:28:22.540 --> 00:28:23.500
 inject the medicine

00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:24.520
 into the patient's

00:28:24.520 --> 00:28:25.420
 intravenous line,

00:28:25.840 --> 00:28:26.660
 he tucks the vial

00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.720
 into his cold pocket

00:28:27.720 --> 00:28:29.160
 and attempts

00:28:29.160 --> 00:28:29.740
 to minister

00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:30.380
 holistically.

00:28:31.340 --> 00:28:31.720
 The doctor

00:28:31.720 --> 00:28:32.460
 asks the man

00:28:32.460 --> 00:28:33.380
 about the stressors

00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:33.800
 that may have

00:28:33.800 --> 00:28:35.060
 contributed to his disease,

00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:36.580
 what his home life

00:28:36.580 --> 00:28:37.040
 is like,

00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:38.420
 how things are going

00:28:38.420 --> 00:28:38.880
 at work

00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:40.160
 and whether he knows

00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:41.080
 how to love himself.

00:28:42.820 --> 00:28:43.760
 Before long,

00:28:43.980 --> 00:28:44.900
 a shaky hand

00:28:44.900 --> 00:28:45.640
 reaches up

00:28:45.640 --> 00:28:46.260
 and clutches

00:28:46.260 --> 00:28:47.200
 the doctor's collar.

00:28:48.300 --> 00:28:49.040
 Listen, doc.

00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:50.880
 Save the chit-chat

00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.820
 for some other time.

00:28:52.580 --> 00:28:53.560
 Did you bring

00:28:53.560 --> 00:28:54.420
 the cure?

00:29:00.420 --> 00:29:01.460
 Brothers and sisters,

00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.440
 we have

00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.580
 the cure.

00:29:03.579 --> 00:29:07.740
 all of our

00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:09.079
 psychological ills,

00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:09.939
 all of our

00:29:09.939 --> 00:29:10.859
 social ills,

00:29:11.179 --> 00:29:11.960
 all of our

00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:12.759
 physical ills,

00:29:13.000 --> 00:29:13.740
 they are all

00:29:13.740 --> 00:29:14.819
 strange fruits

00:29:14.819 --> 00:29:15.519
 that grow

00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.359
 on the tree

00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:18.240
 of sinful humanity.

00:29:20.419 --> 00:29:21.399
 And Jesus

00:29:21.399 --> 00:29:22.619
 is the only one

00:29:22.619 --> 00:29:23.500
 who can save us

00:29:23.500 --> 00:29:24.079
 from sin,

00:29:24.639 --> 00:29:25.939
 give us forgiveness

00:29:25.939 --> 00:29:26.799
 for sins.

00:29:27.799 --> 00:29:29.359
 Jesus is the only way,

00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:29.919
 the truth,

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:30.439
 and the life.

00:29:30.440 --> 00:29:31.340
 no one comes

00:29:31.340 --> 00:29:31.940
 to the Father

00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:33.299
 except through him.

00:29:33.299 --> 00:29:34.600
 And people

00:29:34.600 --> 00:29:35.799
 who have not

00:29:35.799 --> 00:29:37.240
 heard the good news

00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:39.160
 never will repent

00:29:39.160 --> 00:29:40.100
 of their sins.

00:29:43.440 --> 00:29:44.799
 You have

00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.759
 family members,

00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.519
 neighbors,

00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.660
 friends,

00:29:48.220 --> 00:29:48.779
 co-workers

00:29:48.779 --> 00:29:50.160
 who need

00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.000
 to hear

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.820
 the good news

00:29:51.820 --> 00:29:52.880
 of Jesus Christ.

00:29:52.880 --> 00:29:56.760
 our church,

00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.420
 we should be

00:29:57.420 --> 00:29:58.160
 consumed

00:29:58.160 --> 00:29:59.540
 by this seal.

00:30:02.540 --> 00:30:03.220
 That's why

00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:03.900
 we must go.

00:30:04.540 --> 00:30:05.440
 Jesus says

00:30:05.440 --> 00:30:06.060
 that this message

00:30:06.060 --> 00:30:06.740
 should be proclaimed

00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.860
 in his name

00:30:07.860 --> 00:30:09.520
 to all nations

00:30:09.520 --> 00:30:10.440
 beginning from

00:30:10.440 --> 00:30:11.040
 Jerusalem.

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.540
 In the gospel

00:30:12.540 --> 00:30:13.000
 of Luke,

00:30:13.120 --> 00:30:13.760
 the geographic

00:30:13.760 --> 00:30:14.620
 trajectory of

00:30:14.620 --> 00:30:15.720
 the entire gospel

00:30:15.720 --> 00:30:16.760
 of Jesus

00:30:16.760 --> 00:30:17.500
 and his disciples

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.960
 is toward

00:30:18.960 --> 00:30:19.560
 Jerusalem.

00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.060
 That's where

00:30:20.060 --> 00:30:20.560
 it ends.

00:30:21.560 --> 00:30:21.920
 But then

00:30:21.920 --> 00:30:22.420
 in the book

00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:23.060
 of Acts,

00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:23.920
 Luke's sequel,

00:30:24.300 --> 00:30:24.840
 the geographic

00:30:24.840 --> 00:30:25.640
 trajectory of

00:30:25.640 --> 00:30:26.580
 Jesus' apostles

00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:27.560
 is from

00:30:27.560 --> 00:30:28.060
 Jerusalem

00:30:28.060 --> 00:30:29.340
 to the ends

00:30:29.340 --> 00:30:29.940
 of the earth.

00:30:31.900 --> 00:30:32.660
 I've mentioned

00:30:32.660 --> 00:30:33.220
 to you before

00:30:33.220 --> 00:30:33.840
 the research

00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.400
 published by

00:30:34.400 --> 00:30:34.820
 the Center

00:30:34.820 --> 00:30:35.300
 for the Study

00:30:35.300 --> 00:30:35.660
 of Global

00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.160
 Christianity.

00:30:36.300 --> 00:30:36.900
 They chronicle

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.560
 the shifts

00:30:37.560 --> 00:30:38.539
 in the gravitational

00:30:38.539 --> 00:30:39.420
 center of

00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:39.940
 Christianity

00:30:39.940 --> 00:30:41.440
 from 30 A.D.

00:30:41.460 --> 00:30:42.039
 to the present

00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.320
 day.

00:30:42.500 --> 00:30:42.840
 It began,

00:30:42.980 --> 00:30:43.240
 of course,

00:30:43.320 --> 00:30:43.900
 in Jerusalem

00:30:43.900 --> 00:30:44.980
 30 A.D.

00:30:45.160 --> 00:30:45.860
 to what is now

00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.460
 Istanbul

00:30:46.460 --> 00:30:48.019
 around 1000 A.D.

00:30:48.259 --> 00:30:48.900
 and then to

00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.380
 Budapest,

00:30:49.460 --> 00:30:50.580
 Hungary by 1500,

00:30:50.579 --> 00:30:51.379
 Madrid,

00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:52.799
 Spain by 1900,

00:30:52.799 --> 00:30:53.899
 and then now

00:30:53.899 --> 00:30:54.559
 to Niger,

00:30:54.779 --> 00:30:55.199
 Africa.

00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:55.799
 That's the

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.359
 gravitational center

00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.579
 of Christianity

00:30:58.579 --> 00:30:59.179
 today.

00:30:59.659 --> 00:31:00.159
 Today,

00:31:00.419 --> 00:31:01.199
 seven of the

00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:01.980
 top ten

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.980
 countries with

00:31:02.980 --> 00:31:03.460
 the largest

00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.579
 Christian populations

00:31:04.579 --> 00:31:05.939
 are in Africa,

00:31:06.279 --> 00:31:06.659
 Asia,

00:31:06.819 --> 00:31:07.919
 and South America.

00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:10.599
 Christianity

00:31:10.599 --> 00:31:11.599
 is not a

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.419
 Jewish religion.

00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:14.539
 It is not a

00:31:14.539 --> 00:31:15.279
 Western religion.

00:31:15.399 --> 00:31:16.199
 It is not an

00:31:16.199 --> 00:31:17.279
 American religion

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.379
 religion.

00:31:17.579 --> 00:31:18.119
 Because our

00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:18.940
 God is God

00:31:18.940 --> 00:31:19.559
 overall.

00:31:20.940 --> 00:31:21.259
 And he

00:31:21.259 --> 00:31:22.279
 commended that

00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.899
 this should be

00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.819
 proclaimed among

00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.740
 all the nations.

00:31:26.180 --> 00:31:26.960
 And when we

00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:27.839
 go, we don't

00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:28.819
 go in our

00:31:28.819 --> 00:31:30.279
 name for our

00:31:30.279 --> 00:31:31.259
 selfish gain.

00:31:31.619 --> 00:31:32.420
 We don't go in

00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.039
 the name of a

00:31:33.039 --> 00:31:33.720
 corporation.

00:31:34.599 --> 00:31:35.500
 We don't go in

00:31:35.500 --> 00:31:36.259
 the name of a

00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:36.759
 country.

00:31:37.399 --> 00:31:38.720
 We don't go to

00:31:38.720 --> 00:31:39.559
 export our

00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:40.720
 products and to

00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:41.720
 establish our

00:31:41.720 --> 00:31:42.500
 governing structures

00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:43.139
 and cultures.

00:31:43.700 --> 00:31:44.579
 It is written

00:31:44.579 --> 00:31:45.599
 in Scripture

00:31:45.599 --> 00:31:46.599
 that repentance

00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.359
 for the

00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.119
 forgiveness of

00:31:48.119 --> 00:31:49.079
 sins should be

00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:50.459
 proclaimed in

00:31:50.459 --> 00:31:52.039
 His name.

00:31:54.039 --> 00:31:55.019
 In the name of

00:31:55.019 --> 00:31:55.539
 Christ.

00:31:57.859 --> 00:31:58.480
 Proclaiming the

00:31:58.480 --> 00:31:59.240
 gospel in Jesus'

00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:00.099
 name is a major

00:32:00.099 --> 00:32:00.719
 theme in the

00:32:00.719 --> 00:32:01.379
 book of Acts.

00:32:01.679 --> 00:32:02.939
 And it points to

00:32:02.939 --> 00:32:04.339
 Christ's authority.

00:32:05.139 --> 00:32:06.459
 When you act in

00:32:06.459 --> 00:32:07.439
 someone's name,

00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:09.119
 you act as His

00:32:09.119 --> 00:32:10.659
 representative and

00:32:10.659 --> 00:32:11.619
 under His

00:32:11.619 --> 00:32:12.480
 authority.

00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.619
 This is why

00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.879
 missionaries are

00:32:17.879 --> 00:32:18.939
 not the same as

00:32:18.939 --> 00:32:19.659
 colonists.

00:32:21.859 --> 00:32:23.519
 A colonist serves

00:32:23.519 --> 00:32:24.459
 the interests of

00:32:24.459 --> 00:32:25.359
 an earthly king.

00:32:27.319 --> 00:32:28.259
 A missionary

00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:29.439
 serves the interests

00:32:29.439 --> 00:32:30.199
 of a heavenly

00:32:30.199 --> 00:32:30.539
 king.

00:32:32.719 --> 00:32:33.559
 Colonists go in

00:32:33.559 --> 00:32:34.139
 the name of the

00:32:34.139 --> 00:32:35.099
 British Empire or

00:32:35.099 --> 00:32:36.019
 the Spanish Empire,

00:32:36.139 --> 00:32:37.159
 the French Empire,

00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.240
 the American

00:32:38.240 --> 00:32:38.779
 Empire.

00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.119
 But missionaries

00:32:40.119 --> 00:32:41.079
 go in the name of

00:32:41.079 --> 00:32:42.039
 the kingdom of

00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:42.559
 God.

00:32:43.199 --> 00:32:43.939
 The Christians'

00:32:44.319 --> 00:32:45.439
 primary allegiance

00:32:45.440 --> 00:32:46.840
 is not to a

00:32:46.840 --> 00:32:48.180
 country or to a

00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:49.299
 company but to

00:32:49.299 --> 00:32:49.779
 Christ.

00:32:50.559 --> 00:32:51.559
 And so when their

00:32:51.559 --> 00:32:53.380
 interests contradict

00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.460
 the interests of

00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:56.279
 Christ, we must

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.220
 obey God rather

00:32:57.220 --> 00:32:57.680
 than men.

00:33:01.100 --> 00:33:02.279
 Because we go in

00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:04.100
 Christ's name to

00:33:04.100 --> 00:33:04.700
 proclaim the good

00:33:04.700 --> 00:33:06.200
 news of repentance

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:07.100
 for the forgiveness

00:33:07.100 --> 00:33:09.100
 of sins and you

00:33:09.100 --> 00:33:10.680
 are witnesses,

00:33:11.259 --> 00:33:12.220
 says in verse 48.

00:33:13.080 --> 00:33:14.240
 You are witnesses of

00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.920
 these things.

00:33:15.359 --> 00:33:16.120
 Witnesses are not

00:33:16.120 --> 00:33:17.380
 supposed to fabricate

00:33:17.380 --> 00:33:18.660
 anything, conjure up

00:33:18.660 --> 00:33:19.059
 something.

00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:20.039
 They're supposed to

00:33:20.039 --> 00:33:21.099
 report what they have

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:22.880
 seen and heard and

00:33:22.880 --> 00:33:24.019
 that's the calling of

00:33:24.019 --> 00:33:24.539
 Christians.

00:33:25.220 --> 00:33:26.839
 To witness to the

00:33:26.839 --> 00:33:27.940
 person and work of

00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:29.460
 Jesus Christ whom we

00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:31.160
 know, whom we have

00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:35.120
 experienced, whom we

00:33:35.120 --> 00:33:37.019
 have heard in the

00:33:37.019 --> 00:33:37.539
 word of God.

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:40.740
 And as Jesus

00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:41.460
 commissions his

00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.259
 disciples, he gives

00:33:42.259 --> 00:33:43.200
 them this promise in

00:33:43.200 --> 00:33:43.759
 verse 49.

00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:45.240
 And behold, I am

00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.519
 sending the promise of

00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:48.099
 my Father upon you, but

00:33:48.099 --> 00:33:49.519
 stay in the city until

00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.940
 you are clothed with

00:33:50.940 --> 00:33:53.180
 power from on high.

00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.720
 This is a promise of

00:33:55.720 --> 00:33:56.539
 the Holy Spirit.

00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.399
 That's confirmed by

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.579
 Acts 1.8.

00:33:59.799 --> 00:34:00.579
 Jesus says to his

00:34:00.579 --> 00:34:01.619
 disciples, you will

00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:03.940
 receive power when the

00:34:03.940 --> 00:34:05.319
 Holy Spirit has come

00:34:05.319 --> 00:34:07.119
 upon you and you

00:34:07.119 --> 00:34:08.519
 will be my witnesses

00:34:08.519 --> 00:34:09.579
 in Jerusalem and in

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.779
 all Judea and Samaria

00:34:10.779 --> 00:34:12.539
 and to the end of the

00:34:12.539 --> 00:34:12.900
 earth.

00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:14.279
 This is the

00:34:14.279 --> 00:34:15.840
 fulfillment of the

00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.420
 Old Testament

00:34:16.420 --> 00:34:17.219
 scriptures.

00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:20.279
 One of the saddest

00:34:20.279 --> 00:34:21.139
 verses in all of

00:34:21.139 --> 00:34:22.440
 scripture is Ezekiel

00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:24.400
 chapter 10, verse 18

00:34:24.400 --> 00:34:25.719
 and 19, where

00:34:25.719 --> 00:34:26.679
 prophet Ezekiel

00:34:26.679 --> 00:34:27.960
 describes the

00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:29.480
 departure of God's

00:34:29.480 --> 00:34:30.880
 glory from his

00:34:30.880 --> 00:34:32.079
 temple in Jerusalem.

00:34:33.299 --> 00:34:34.159
 It says, then the

00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.259
 glory of the Lord

00:34:35.260 --> 00:34:36.880
 went out from the

00:34:36.880 --> 00:34:37.640
 threshold of the

00:34:37.640 --> 00:34:38.900
 house and stood

00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:40.120
 over the cherubim

00:34:40.120 --> 00:34:41.560
 and the cherubim

00:34:41.560 --> 00:34:42.460
 lifted up their

00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.220
 wings and mounted

00:34:43.220 --> 00:34:43.960
 up from the earth

00:34:43.960 --> 00:34:45.060
 before my eyes as

00:34:45.060 --> 00:34:45.860
 they went out.

00:34:47.440 --> 00:34:48.880
 The glory of God,

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:50.020
 the presence of God,

00:34:50.120 --> 00:34:51.020
 the Spirit of God

00:34:51.020 --> 00:34:52.220
 leaves Jerusalem

00:34:52.220 --> 00:34:54.200
 because of the sin

00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:55.100
 and rebellion of

00:34:55.100 --> 00:34:56.060
 God's people and

00:34:56.060 --> 00:34:57.380
 consequently Jerusalem

00:34:57.380 --> 00:34:58.700
 is overrun by the

00:34:58.700 --> 00:35:00.420
 Babylonian empire and

00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.500
 God's name is held

00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.680
 in contempt by the

00:35:02.680 --> 00:35:03.680
 Gentiles, by the

00:35:03.680 --> 00:35:04.360
 non-Jews.

00:35:04.360 --> 00:35:08.340
 But later in

00:35:08.340 --> 00:35:09.740
 Ezekiel chapter 36

00:35:09.740 --> 00:35:11.440
 verses 23-27, God

00:35:11.440 --> 00:35:12.800
 promises of a day

00:35:12.800 --> 00:35:14.660
 when his presence,

00:35:15.240 --> 00:35:16.380
 his Spirit will

00:35:16.380 --> 00:35:17.480
 return to dwell

00:35:17.480 --> 00:35:18.420
 among God's people.

00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.980
 And I will vindicate

00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:23.059
 the holiness of my

00:35:23.059 --> 00:35:24.039
 great name which has

00:35:24.039 --> 00:35:25.000
 been profaned among

00:35:25.000 --> 00:35:26.140
 the nations and

00:35:26.140 --> 00:35:26.800
 which you have

00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.860
 profaned among them.

00:35:28.360 --> 00:35:29.559
 And the nations will

00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.860
 know that I am the

00:35:30.860 --> 00:35:31.900
 Lord, declares the

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.980
 Lord God, when

00:35:32.980 --> 00:35:33.900
 through you I

00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:35.460
 vindicate my holiness

00:35:35.460 --> 00:35:36.900
 before their eyes.

00:35:37.280 --> 00:35:38.519
 I will take you from

00:35:38.519 --> 00:35:39.539
 the nations and gather

00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.260
 you from all the

00:35:40.260 --> 00:35:41.280
 countries and bring you

00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:42.119
 into your own land.

00:35:42.340 --> 00:35:43.720
 I will sprinkle clean

00:35:43.720 --> 00:35:45.000
 water on you and you

00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:46.180
 shall be clean from all

00:35:46.180 --> 00:35:47.760
 your uncleanness and from

00:35:47.760 --> 00:35:48.860
 all your idols I will

00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:50.160
 cleanse you and I will

00:35:50.160 --> 00:35:51.840
 give you a new heart and

00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:53.559
 a new spirit I will put

00:35:53.559 --> 00:35:54.740
 within you and I will

00:35:54.740 --> 00:35:55.760
 remove the heart of

00:35:55.760 --> 00:35:57.500
 stone from your flesh and

00:35:57.500 --> 00:35:58.720
 give you a heart of

00:35:58.719 --> 00:36:01.219
 flesh and I will put my

00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:03.459
 spirit within you and

00:36:03.459 --> 00:36:05.039
 cause you to walk in my

00:36:05.039 --> 00:36:06.459
 statutes and be careful

00:36:06.459 --> 00:36:08.719
 to obey my rules.

00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:12.959
 And then after the last

00:36:12.959 --> 00:36:15.039
 prophets there was the

00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:16.459
 400 years of silence.

00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:20.519
 Jesus is breaking that

00:36:20.519 --> 00:36:21.899
 silence saying that that

00:36:21.899 --> 00:36:23.279
 promise is not becoming

00:36:23.279 --> 00:36:25.419
 fulfilled in my death,

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.599
 resurrection and

00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:28.359
 ascension and I will send

00:36:28.360 --> 00:36:30.220
 this spirit of God to you.

00:36:33.140 --> 00:36:34.960
 God's glory will again be

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:36.200
 seen among his people.

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.900
 His power will again be

00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.720
 demonstrated among his

00:36:38.720 --> 00:36:40.180
 people and in the old

00:36:40.180 --> 00:36:42.320
 covenant God's spirit came

00:36:42.320 --> 00:36:43.680
 upon only on select

00:36:43.680 --> 00:36:45.120
 individuals for select

00:36:45.120 --> 00:36:46.980
 divinely appointed tasks

00:36:46.980 --> 00:36:48.720
 like building of the

00:36:48.720 --> 00:36:49.880
 tabernacle or the temple

00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:51.000
 to the priests and to the

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:52.559
 kings, the prophets.

00:36:53.280 --> 00:36:54.300
 But now in the new

00:36:54.300 --> 00:36:57.200
 covenant every single man

00:36:57.199 --> 00:36:58.259
 man and woman of God

00:36:58.259 --> 00:37:01.339
 filled with the spirit of

00:37:01.339 --> 00:37:01.639
 God.

00:37:02.379 --> 00:37:03.579
 Not just pastors,

00:37:04.139 --> 00:37:04.519
 priests.

00:37:09.079 --> 00:37:10.460
 And that's why Jesus

00:37:10.460 --> 00:37:11.939
 tells his disciples to

00:37:11.939 --> 00:37:14.139
 stay in the city until

00:37:14.139 --> 00:37:15.000
 they are clothed with

00:37:15.000 --> 00:37:15.980
 power from on high.

00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:17.900
 This is really remarkable

00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:19.440
 that Jesus after

00:37:19.440 --> 00:37:20.539
 commissioning them to go

00:37:20.539 --> 00:37:21.300
 and proclaim this

00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:22.280
 repentance for forgiveness

00:37:22.280 --> 00:37:23.940
 of sins doesn't tell

00:37:23.940 --> 00:37:24.699
 them to go immediately

00:37:24.699 --> 00:37:25.780
 instead he tells them to

00:37:25.780 --> 00:37:26.159
 wait.

00:37:27.219 --> 00:37:28.559
 Wait for divine

00:37:28.559 --> 00:37:30.840
 empowerment because

00:37:30.840 --> 00:37:32.400
 apart from it your

00:37:32.400 --> 00:37:33.500
 proclamation is

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:34.000
 ineffective.

00:37:36.000 --> 00:37:37.460
 We see this connection

00:37:37.460 --> 00:37:39.360
 between spirit's power

00:37:39.360 --> 00:37:40.840
 and the proclamation of

00:37:40.840 --> 00:37:42.019
 the gospel over and over

00:37:42.019 --> 00:37:43.280
 again in Luke's sequel to

00:37:43.280 --> 00:37:43.900
 the book of Acts.

00:37:43.900 --> 00:37:46.059
 For example it says in

00:37:46.059 --> 00:37:47.039
 Acts 4.31

00:37:47.039 --> 00:37:47.860
 And when they had

00:37:47.860 --> 00:37:49.000
 prayed the place in

00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:49.800
 which they were gathered

00:37:49.800 --> 00:37:50.760
 together was shaken

00:37:50.760 --> 00:37:52.260
 and they were all filled

00:37:52.260 --> 00:37:53.840
 with the Holy Spirit

00:37:53.840 --> 00:37:55.740
 and continued to speak

00:37:55.740 --> 00:37:57.119
 the word of God with

00:37:57.119 --> 00:37:57.900
 boldness.

00:37:59.220 --> 00:38:00.940
 It's being clothed with

00:38:00.940 --> 00:38:02.360
 the power of the Holy

00:38:02.360 --> 00:38:03.740
 Spirit that leads to

00:38:03.740 --> 00:38:05.180
 bold proclamation of

00:38:05.180 --> 00:38:05.660
 the gospel.

00:38:06.139 --> 00:38:07.360
 Especially in the face

00:38:07.360 --> 00:38:07.980
 of persecution.

00:38:09.240 --> 00:38:10.519
 It's when the gospel is

00:38:10.519 --> 00:38:11.639
 proclaimed in the power

00:38:11.639 --> 00:38:13.340
 of the Holy Spirit that it

00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:15.180
 manifests saving power

00:38:15.180 --> 00:38:16.000
 in the lives of its

00:38:16.000 --> 00:38:16.440
 hearers.

00:38:17.640 --> 00:38:19.780
 We can't, though we

00:38:19.780 --> 00:38:20.820
 might try with all our

00:38:20.820 --> 00:38:22.579
 might, we can't conjure

00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:25.140
 up supernatural boldness

00:38:25.140 --> 00:38:27.559
 by holding powwows and

00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.579
 listening to pep talks.

00:38:32.300 --> 00:38:34.160
 We can't persuade

00:38:34.160 --> 00:38:36.840
 unbelievers to believe the

00:38:36.840 --> 00:38:38.780
 gospel merely by honing our

00:38:38.780 --> 00:38:40.680
 skills of argumentation

00:38:40.679 --> 00:38:42.579
 and eloquence.

00:38:45.579 --> 00:38:48.000
 The work of God can only

00:38:48.000 --> 00:38:49.279
 be carried out by the

00:38:49.279 --> 00:38:51.779
 power of God and so it

00:38:51.779 --> 00:38:53.259
 was necessary for the

00:38:53.259 --> 00:38:55.319
 disciples to wait in

00:38:55.319 --> 00:38:56.799
 Jerusalem for the promised

00:38:56.799 --> 00:38:57.659
 Holy Spirit.

00:39:00.059 --> 00:39:01.599
 And then after the promise

00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:03.299
 we witness the actual

00:39:03.299 --> 00:39:05.179
 ascension in verses 50 to 51.

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:07.480
 It seems that some time

00:39:07.480 --> 00:39:09.880
 have, has elapsed between

00:39:09.880 --> 00:39:11.260
 resurrection Sunday and

00:39:11.260 --> 00:39:13.099
 ascension day because Luke

00:39:13.099 --> 00:39:15.199
 notes in Acts 1-3 that there

00:39:15.199 --> 00:39:16.639
 was a 40 day interval between

00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:17.840
 Jesus' resurrection and his

00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:18.300
 ascension.

00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:20.699
 So now, what's happening now is

00:39:20.699 --> 00:39:21.740
 some time after.

00:39:24.260 --> 00:39:26.559
 And it says in Luke 20, and

00:39:26.559 --> 00:39:28.139
 Jesus had predicted this of

00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:30.300
 course saying in Luke 22-69,

00:39:30.460 --> 00:39:31.820
 but from now on the Son of Man

00:39:31.820 --> 00:39:33.099
 shall be seated on the right

00:39:33.099 --> 00:39:34.300
 hand of the power of God.

00:39:34.300 --> 00:39:36.260
 And this ascension is a

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:38.120
 fulfillment of that promise.

00:39:38.660 --> 00:39:40.420
 It means that Jesus is seated

00:39:40.420 --> 00:39:41.980
 reigning at the right hand of

00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:43.280
 God the Father as the great

00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:45.320
 high priest who intercedes on

00:39:45.320 --> 00:39:46.519
 behalf of his people.

00:39:47.220 --> 00:39:50.620
 It's Jesus' ascension that gives

00:39:50.620 --> 00:39:52.940
 us the confidence to approach

00:39:52.940 --> 00:39:54.539
 the throne of God in prayer.

00:39:55.640 --> 00:39:58.300
 It's his ascension that assures

00:39:58.300 --> 00:40:00.500
 us that we will surely receive

00:40:00.500 --> 00:40:02.240
 God's grace and mercy because

00:40:02.240 --> 00:40:03.840
 Jesus is at the right hand of the

00:40:03.840 --> 00:40:05.500
 Father interceding for us,

00:40:05.620 --> 00:40:07.840
 reigning in that place.

00:40:08.660 --> 00:40:10.620
 That's what Hebrews 4, 14-16

00:40:10.620 --> 00:40:11.340
 talks about.

00:40:12.019 --> 00:40:13.920
 Jesus is the risen and ascended

00:40:13.920 --> 00:40:15.740
 Lord who empowers us with the

00:40:15.740 --> 00:40:18.100
 Spirit to proclaim repentance

00:40:18.100 --> 00:40:20.000
 for the forgiveness of sins.

00:40:21.880 --> 00:40:23.900
 But Jesus doesn't leave before he

00:40:23.900 --> 00:40:25.039
 blesses his disciples.

00:40:26.100 --> 00:40:27.079
 That's my third point.

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:29.840
 Benediction says in verses 50-51,

00:40:29.840 --> 00:40:31.920
 And he led them out as far as

00:40:31.920 --> 00:40:33.740
 Bethany and lifting up his hands,

00:40:33.820 --> 00:40:34.760
 he blessed them.

00:40:35.400 --> 00:40:36.840
 While he blessed them,

00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:38.480
 he parted from them and was

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.700
 carried up into heaven.

00:40:40.600 --> 00:40:41.300
 Look at this.

00:40:41.360 --> 00:40:42.860
 Even as he's being carried up

00:40:42.860 --> 00:40:44.380
 into heaven, Jesus is blessing

00:40:44.380 --> 00:40:45.640
 his disciples.

00:40:47.240 --> 00:40:49.180
 And the disciples respond by

00:40:49.180 --> 00:40:50.559
 blessing God in return.

00:40:50.700 --> 00:40:52.380
 Verses 52-53,

00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:53.840
 And they worshipped him and

00:40:53.840 --> 00:40:55.579
 returned to Jerusalem with great

00:40:55.579 --> 00:40:57.260
 joy and were continually in the

00:40:57.260 --> 00:40:58.800
 temple blessing God.

00:40:58.920 --> 00:40:59.900
 The word blessed is repeated

00:40:59.900 --> 00:41:00.860
 three times here.

00:41:02.060 --> 00:41:04.540
 The word blessed is so overused

00:41:04.540 --> 00:41:05.220
 nowadays.

00:41:07.320 --> 00:41:08.220
 I'm not sure.

00:41:09.120 --> 00:41:10.320
 It's so misused.

00:41:10.540 --> 00:41:11.760
 I think few Christians actually

00:41:11.760 --> 00:41:12.560
 know what it means.

00:41:13.700 --> 00:41:16.340
 To bless someone is to impart

00:41:16.340 --> 00:41:18.220
 good things from God.

00:41:20.540 --> 00:41:22.240
 In scripture, there are two main

00:41:22.240 --> 00:41:23.040
 types of blessings.

00:41:23.320 --> 00:41:25.500
 First type is the paternal

00:41:25.500 --> 00:41:27.460
 benediction, which is a blessing

00:41:27.460 --> 00:41:28.880
 that parents bestow on their

00:41:28.880 --> 00:41:29.239
 children.

00:41:29.860 --> 00:41:31.039
 The second type is the

00:41:31.039 --> 00:41:32.519
 ministerial benediction, which

00:41:32.519 --> 00:41:34.840
 God's authorized representatives

00:41:34.840 --> 00:41:37.179
 bless God's people on his behalf.

00:41:39.860 --> 00:41:42.099
 And when God or his authorized

00:41:42.099 --> 00:41:44.900
 representatives bless God's people,

00:41:45.340 --> 00:41:47.320
 it's a bestowal of blessing.

00:41:47.480 --> 00:41:49.400
 It's an impartation or a

00:41:49.400 --> 00:41:51.380
 communication of blessing.

00:41:51.380 --> 00:41:55.119
 When the people of God bless God,

00:41:55.700 --> 00:41:57.780
 it's an act of worship, an

00:41:57.780 --> 00:41:59.680
 acknowledgement that God is the

00:41:59.680 --> 00:42:00.599
 most blessed one.

00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:04.360
 So a benediction, when we receive it,

00:42:04.400 --> 00:42:05.460
 it's not a prayer.

00:42:07.760 --> 00:42:09.180
 It's a pronouncement.

00:42:09.440 --> 00:42:10.980
 When a pastor, for example, at the

00:42:10.980 --> 00:42:12.280
 end of a service pronounces his

00:42:12.280 --> 00:42:14.460
 benediction at the end, it's not

00:42:14.460 --> 00:42:17.119
 prayer asking God to do something.

00:42:17.440 --> 00:42:19.579
 Rather, it's a pronouncement imparting

00:42:19.579 --> 00:42:22.719
 what God has already done and

00:42:22.719 --> 00:42:23.900
 promised for his people.

00:42:25.099 --> 00:42:27.500
 So you receive it with expectation

00:42:27.500 --> 00:42:29.440
 and full fulfillment of that instead

00:42:29.440 --> 00:42:31.179
 of waiting on it, seeking and

00:42:31.179 --> 00:42:31.960
 praying for it.

00:42:34.340 --> 00:42:36.099
 The first thing that God did after

00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:37.920
 creating humanity was to bless them,

00:42:38.059 --> 00:42:38.980
 Genesis 1.28.

00:42:39.719 --> 00:42:42.000
 The very last words of scripture in

00:42:42.000 --> 00:42:45.000
 Revelation 22.21 is a benediction, a

00:42:45.000 --> 00:42:45.360
 blessing.

00:42:45.360 --> 00:42:47.780
 And most of the New Testament

00:42:47.780 --> 00:42:50.039
 letters include at least one

00:42:50.039 --> 00:42:50.660
 benediction.

00:42:51.780 --> 00:42:53.240
 And here at the end of the Gospel of

00:42:53.240 --> 00:42:55.519
 Luke, Jesus ascends to heaven while

00:42:55.519 --> 00:42:57.460
 blessing his disciples.

00:42:58.059 --> 00:42:59.880
 It really reveals his heart.

00:43:00.019 --> 00:43:01.559
 It's like getting carried away and

00:43:01.559 --> 00:43:03.000
 he's like blessing his disciples.

00:43:04.420 --> 00:43:05.880
 So it reminds me of like a lover

00:43:05.880 --> 00:43:07.700
 that's saying goodbye to like a

00:43:07.700 --> 00:43:09.340
 beloved that's going off on a train.

00:43:09.440 --> 00:43:10.579
 He's like running up to the train

00:43:10.579 --> 00:43:11.840
 saying, I love you or something, you

00:43:11.840 --> 00:43:13.220
 know, because they just haven't had

00:43:13.220 --> 00:43:13.700
 enough time.

00:43:13.699 --> 00:43:16.099
 And say, God, it's Jesus as he's

00:43:16.099 --> 00:43:16.419
 going.

00:43:16.559 --> 00:43:17.279
 It's a blessing.

00:43:17.639 --> 00:43:19.480
 That's the last thing.

00:43:20.559 --> 00:43:22.539
 The last picture that the disciples

00:43:22.539 --> 00:43:24.559
 have of Jesus, his arms raised,

00:43:25.019 --> 00:43:25.859
 blessing them.

00:43:31.279 --> 00:43:32.919
 That's God's heart for us.

00:43:33.759 --> 00:43:36.759
 To bless us, not harm us.

00:43:36.760 --> 00:43:44.300
 Romans 8.20 says that for those who

00:43:44.300 --> 00:43:46.720
 love God, all things work together

00:43:46.720 --> 00:43:47.800
 for good.

00:43:49.140 --> 00:43:51.760
 Not good as we humanly and

00:43:51.760 --> 00:43:54.200
 imperfectly define it, but good as

00:43:54.200 --> 00:43:57.380
 God divinely and perfectly defines it.

00:43:58.440 --> 00:44:01.540
 All that God demands of us in his

00:44:01.540 --> 00:44:04.680
 scriptures is for our good.

00:44:04.679 --> 00:44:09.659
 Yet too often, we second guess the

00:44:09.659 --> 00:44:11.440
 goodness of what God's word teaches.

00:44:12.460 --> 00:44:14.919
 We question the goodness of God in the

00:44:14.919 --> 00:44:16.319
 circumstances of our lives.

00:44:17.859 --> 00:44:19.940
 Let me encourage you, whenever you find

00:44:19.940 --> 00:44:22.460
 yourself questioning the goodness of

00:44:22.460 --> 00:44:24.399
 what God has said in his word to you,

00:44:24.619 --> 00:44:27.039
 or the goodness of God in the difficult

00:44:27.039 --> 00:44:28.579
 circumstances of your life,

00:44:28.579 --> 00:44:33.659
 picture Jesus with his hands raised

00:44:33.659 --> 00:44:35.239
 high, blessing you.

00:44:36.500 --> 00:44:37.699
 That's his heart for you.

00:44:41.159 --> 00:44:43.179
 He's not looking at you with contempt,

00:44:43.739 --> 00:44:46.000
 with wagging fingers or pointed fingers.

00:44:46.000 --> 00:44:55.900
 And the only appropriate response to the

00:44:55.900 --> 00:44:58.940
 risen and ascended Lord is joyful worship.

00:45:00.159 --> 00:45:02.840
 It says in verses 52 to 53 to 3 that the

00:45:02.840 --> 00:45:05.460
 disciples worshipped him and returned to

00:45:05.460 --> 00:45:07.599
 Jerusalem with great joy and were

00:45:07.599 --> 00:45:10.440
 continually in the temple blessing God.

00:45:11.039 --> 00:45:13.300
 In the gospel of Luke, though several

00:45:13.300 --> 00:45:15.840
 people have fallen before Jesus' feet,

00:45:16.200 --> 00:45:19.120
 prostrate themselves to pay homage to him,

00:45:19.640 --> 00:45:22.060
 no one has up to this point worshipped

00:45:22.060 --> 00:45:22.600
 Jesus.

00:45:23.820 --> 00:45:26.620
 It is as the risen and ascended Lord that

00:45:26.620 --> 00:45:30.420
 Jesus is finally fully recognized as the

00:45:30.420 --> 00:45:32.460
 Son of God who is worthy of the worship that

00:45:32.460 --> 00:45:34.120
 is due to God alone.

00:45:34.620 --> 00:45:35.760
 So they worship him.

00:45:35.800 --> 00:45:36.640
 This is significant.

00:45:36.639 --> 00:45:40.500
 And just as the birth of Jesus brought joy in

00:45:40.500 --> 00:45:42.019
 Luke chapter 2 verse 10,

00:45:42.500 --> 00:45:45.679
 the departure of Jesus brings great joy in

00:45:45.679 --> 00:45:47.000
 Luke 24 verse 52.

00:45:48.440 --> 00:45:50.900
 And just as the gospel began with Zechariah

00:45:50.900 --> 00:45:53.019
 and Simeon blessing God in the temple,

00:45:53.379 --> 00:45:56.719
 it ends with Jesus' disciples blessing God in

00:45:56.719 --> 00:45:57.159
 the temple.

00:45:57.259 --> 00:46:00.519
 The gospel has come around full circle because

00:46:00.519 --> 00:46:03.400
 Jesus has fulfilled all that he has set out,

00:46:03.440 --> 00:46:04.420
 he has set out to do.

00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:08.360
 And now he is the risen and ascended Lord who

00:46:08.360 --> 00:46:11.680
 empowers us with the Spirit to proclaim

00:46:11.680 --> 00:46:14.460
 repentance for the forgiveness of sins.

00:46:18.099 --> 00:46:20.639
 Take a moment to reflect on that and then

00:46:20.639 --> 00:46:22.780
 we're going to respond by praying together as a

00:46:22.780 --> 00:46:23.000
 church.

00:46:23.000 --> 00:46:23.099
 Amen.